I’ve written several times about the downsizing of Russia’s military, particularly its army. Part of the planning was to cut the army’s officer corps by 50%. Well, the Russians haven’t wasted any time and they’re starting at the top. From today’s Moscow Times:
About one in every five military generals will be fired for failing to pass a proficiency test, Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov said Tuesday.
Fifty of the military’s 249 generals failed the unannounced test, which is part of ongoing defense reforms, said Pankov, who holds the rank of general.
“We do not intend to leave officers who are not up to par for their positions and high titles in the armed forces,” Pankov said at a news conference, RIA-Novosti reported.
Sixty-six generals who passed the test will be kept on, while the remaining 133 will be dismissed amid cutbacks envisioned in the reform, Pankov said.
The main criteria for the dismissals, besides failing the test, are poor health and old age, he said, Interfax reported.
The test has also been given to 85 percent of army officers so far, Interfax said.
The Kremlin says the reforms aim to turn Russia’s outdated army into a mobile fighting force. Under the reforms, the armed forces will be cut to 1 million servicemen from more than 1.1 million. The number of officers is to be more than halved to 150,000.
Pankov said about 36,000 officers will be dismissed this year.
From the report, it isn’t clear whether the references to ‘military’ refer to the army alone or to other branches as well, although the article seems to address the army. The numbers seem a bit contradictory as well. But it’s safe to say that the cuts are deep indeed.
